From freelancer to founder–with just one platform
Overview
I'm a minimalist. I don't want to rely on ten different tools. Circle gives me everything I need to run my business—and nothing I don't.
Freelance editor Tom Pardo wanted to feel less isolated. So he built something for the entire industry: a global community where trailer editors can connect, learn, and grow together. With Circle, he's building a real business from the ground up. No team, no complexity.
Challenge
From isolation to inspiration: why Tom built Shambala
Tom Pardo loved his craft as a trailer editor, but working remotely, he missed the creative camaraderie of an in-person team. So he created Shambala, a digital home for editors around the world to connect and support each other.
Staying curious led me from trailer editor to director to photographer—and that journey made me a better storyteller. Now I'm building a community, podcast, and learning platform to help others grow their craft, too.
In just a few months, Shambala has attracted more than 60 professional editors from cities like LA, New York, London, and Paris—alongside a growing group of students learning the craft through Tom's courses and live coaching. Together, they host industry masterclasses, peer reviews, and social events that bring the global trailer editing community closer than ever.
Why Circle
All the building blocks for a real business
To turn that vision into a real business, Tom needed more than just a discussion board.
He runs everything himself—no team, no technical expertise. And thanks to Circle's Enterprise plan, he doesn't need either.
He uses:
Courses to teach storytelling and trailer editing
Live Events to host coaching calls and masterclasses
CRM + Email Hub to stay connected with both students and pros
AI Agents to help students with questions in real-time
For someone who values simplicity, Circle makes it possible to run a sophisticated community business all under one roof.
Solution
Website Builder gave him the tools to build like a pro
As his audience grew, Tom needed a better way to showcase what he was building. He explored tools like Webflow and Notion—but just before committing, Circle's Website Builder launched in beta.
It was exactly what he needed.
I've never built a landing page before. But Website Builder made it easy. I could just drag, drop, and publish—no coding, no friction.
Now, Tom is using Website Builder to create:
A homepage for his brand
Landing pages for each of his courses
A membership page for new students
A podcast page to attract new traffic
And with logged-in vs. logged-out states, he can tailor the experience—something most website tools can’t easily replicate. Visitors see course info and offers. Logged-in members get direct access to their content and community. No redirects, no plugins—just one seamless platform.
Transformation
Building a real business, with real impact
Today, Tom's vision is growing beyond just building a business. He's working to make Shambala the destination for trailer editors globally—a place where aspiring talent can learn the craft, and industry pros can give back.
And it's already making an impact.
At a recent industry event in LA, one of Tom's students was recognized by a pro who had led a Shambala masterclass. That chance connection turned into a friendship—and a potential job.
With Circle, Tom isn't just simplifying his tech stack—he's building something bigger than himself.
And step by step, his vision is coming to life.
